Kenspar

Drug name: Kenspar

Other names used:

• Respara®
• Respipac®
• Sparbact®
• Sparflo®
• Zagam®

Active Ingredients: Sparfloxacin

Therapeutic actions: Sparfloxacin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.
Sparfloxacin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections.

Indications: Sparfloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic. Sparfloxacin kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It treats lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. It also treats sinus infections and some other types of infection. The bactericidal action of sparfloxacin results from inhibition of the enzymes topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.

Contraindications and cautions: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;
• any kind of heart disease or heart problem; or
• seizures or epilepsy.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sparfloxacin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sparfloxacin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Adverse effects: f you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sparfloxacin and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• irregular heartbeats;
• chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or swelling of your legs or feet;
• severe dizziness;
• seizures;
• confusion or hallucinations;
• liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or
• muscle or joint pain.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking sparfloxacin and talk to your doctor:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
• headache, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;
• ringing in the ears; or
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Interactions: Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Do not take sparfloxacin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• the heart medicines amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Procan SR, Pronestyl), sotalol (Betapace), and bepridil (Vascor);
• terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D) or astemizole (Hismanal);
• a tricyclic Antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
• a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
• erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or
• cisapride (Propulsid).

Sparfloxacin and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take sparfloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.